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Article: Soil quality: humankind's foundation for survival.(Research Editorial)(Editorial)
- Article from:
- Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
- Article date:
- July 1, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Soil & Water Conservation Society. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Many of our current soil management decisions are not sustainable and lead to environmental degradation (e.g.; salinization, compaction, erosion, contamination of ground and surface waters with nitrate, phosphorus, pesticides, or other materials). The concept of soil quality, defined as "the capacity of a specific kind of soil to function within natural or managed ecosystem boundaries to sustain plant and animal productivity, maintain or enhance "water and air quality, and support human health and habitation" (Karlen et al., 1997) provides a focal point for assessing the severity of this degradation. In fact, for many soil scientists, ecologists, agronomists, and other ...